Director’s View: April’s first twelve days
brim with outstanding performances

This month’s two-week span of excellent presentations at Eisenhower Auditorium kicks off April 1 with a long-anticipated performance by Itzhak Perlman that had to be postponed last September when the violinist was ill.

I’ve had the privilege of presenting Perlman three times in my career, and it’s always been an honor to host a man considered by many to be the planet’s greatest violinist. World-class artist, humanitarian, mentor to young artists—Perlman is truly a remarkable musician and human being. Despite all the recordings and television appearances, the experience of hearing Perlman play the violin in person is simply remarkable and unlike any other I’ve had. His unique sound has never failed, in my experience, to captivate audiences. He makes playing even the hardest repertoire seem effortless and joyful. One can’t help being drawn into the enchanting musical world Perlman creates and leaving the auditorium knowing you’ve had a truly remarkable experience.

Next on our schedule is the April 4 return of the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre. It was in my debut season at the Center for the Performing Arts three years ago that I first saw this company, and I’m pleased we were able to entice the troupe to return. In a country and city known for producing great dance, St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre is one of the best. The thrilling Prokofiev music for Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for a modern portrayal of the star-crossed lovers of Shakespeare’s tale. In this setting, the classically trained St. Petersburg dancers take on a more contemporary look without sacrificing any of their brilliant technique.

TheatreworksUSA’s production of Junie B. Jones, based on the popular character of the much-read series of children’s books, returns April 6. Junie B. Jones is an engaging show for young and old. Adapted from four Junie B. adventures, the musical extols the virtues of keeping a journal while telling of the travails of a girl making her way through first grade, where she faces challenges involving old and new friends, her need for eyeglasses, her craving for cookies, and her thwarted yearning to be the star of a kickball tournament. Don’t miss our Kidz Connections program, with activities themed to the show, beginning one hour before the performance.

The touring Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical EVITA arrives for two performances April 9 and 10. This musical about Eva Peron, wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron, was Andrew Lloyd Webber's last major collaboration with  lyricist Tim Rice. And what a winner they created. It’s a show filled with revolutionary drama and great songs, including a favorite of Broadway audiences—“Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” First released in the mid 1970s as an album and soon after staged in London and New York City, EVITA returned to London in 2006 with a major production. EVITA, which came in sixth in a BBC Radio listener poll of the United Kingdom’s Number One Essential Musicals, has won countless honors, including Tony, Drama Desk, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics, Laurence Olivier, and Outer Critics Circle awards. We’re proud to present EVITA to close this season’s musical theatre presentations.

For our final presentation this season we proudly present the Preservation Hall Jazz Band April 12. I think it’s safe to say that no visit to New Orleans is complete without a stop at the famous Preservation Hall. Night after night audiences are drawn there to experience the infectious sounds of New Orleans jazz. For more than forty years the band has toured the world bringing the spirit of Preservation Hall to adoring audiences. This tour is bittersweet as trumpeter John Brunious, the leader of the band and a longtime member, recently passed away. But the band’s performing schedule goes on with substitute trumpeters, who will fill the Brunious seat, in his memory, for the time being.

George Trudeau
Center for the Performing Arts director